Analysis of the General Aggression Model in Psychology Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the General Aggression Model (GAM), a social-cognitive framework for understanding aggression and violence. It defines aggression and violence, and outlines the tenets of the GAM, including various types of factors (person, situation, and environmental). The report details proximal and distal factors influencing aggression, such as scripts, alcohol abuse, attitudes, and environmental modifiers like cultural norms. It explores the components of the GAM, considering situational, personal, and environmental factors. Additionally, the report examines the benefits of psychological theories, cognitive skill development, and emotional intelligence. It concludes by highlighting the significance of the GAM model in the modern context, increased globalization, and impact of modern social norms, along with a list of references.

General Aggression Model

Definitions
Aggression
Any behavior intended to harm
another person who
does not want to be harmed
violence
It is any aggressive act that
has as its goal extreme physical
harm, such as
injury or death
Thus, all violence are aggression but aggressions are not
violent

Tenets of General aggression
model
• Violence among
intimate partners
•Inter- group violence
• climate related changes
on prospects of violence
•Suicide

Types of factors
1. Proximal
2. Distal
Person
Situation
Environmental
modifier
Biological
modifier

List of proximal factors
 Scripts written aggressively
 Alcohol and drug abuse substances
 Attitude related to violence
 Bad moods
 Cultural biases leading to breeding of hatredness
 Diffusion of responsibility
 Dehumanization by social peers
 Frustration
 Responsibility displacement
 Noise
 Other developments
 Goals to be completed in long run

Proximal factors
 Pain/discomfort
 Social Exclusion
 Narcissism
 Social stress
 Normative beliefs
 Poor impulse control
 Uncomfortable temperature
 Low arousal
 Self-efficacy beliefs

Distal factors
 Environmental modifiers
 Antisocial peers
 Cultural norms, teachings
 Deprivation
 Victimization
 Social Exclusion
 Biological modifiers
 ADD/ADHD
 Deficits in impulsivity
 Low arousal
 Low level of serotonin
 Poor Executive Function
 Various Hormones

Components of GAM
1. Situation factors- stress,
fatigue, extreme temperatures
2. Person factors – attitudes,
beliefs. personality traits, values,
genetics
3. Environment factors –
biological factors, climate,
seasonality

Person factors
Attitudes,
Beliefs.
Personality traits,
Values,
Genetics
Cognitive ability
Intellectuality
Emotional intelligence
Pain

Situational factors
Stress,
Fatigue
Extreme temperatures
Alcohol consumption
Drug addiction

Environment factors
Biological factors
Climate
Seasonality
Weather
Media responses
Noise
Violent neighbourhood
Social Exclusion

Learning from Psychological
theories
•Different attitudes
•Better concentration
•Different values and beliefs
•Different cultures
•Social adjustments
•Importance of cognitive skills
•Importance of behaviour
management